Thanks to Brian Carlton, I put in the EGR 'delete' kit for some offroading
The noise is still there, but much better. Could it be somehow the EGR was amplifying it?
So I guess it's time to figure out how to make a video or a recording of this thing, or nobody will be able to help...
Front of the engine, sounds like a ping or knock, happens on acceleration only when cold. Not normal cold diesel engine sounds...
dd